Week 15
Games through December 16

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QB:

Tommy Maddox, Pit: The Steelers really burned themselves in last week’s 24-6 loss to the Texans depite allowing just 70 yards. Maddox helped Houston with three costly turnovers, but still threw for over 300 yards. We cant see any reason for benching him, as he won’t have a second horrible outing in a row. Playing against a Carolina defense that allowed 31 points to the Bengals will surely help, too.

Brad Johnson, TB: Johnson is perhaps the best matchup player you can think of. He gives you good points when facing a vulnerable pass defense (like Atlanta last week), but does nothing when the matchup is bad (e.g. Green Bay three weeks ago). This week against Detroit, he will be hot again, so put him in.

No-brainers: Rich Gannon, Oak; Brett Favre, GB; Tom Brady, NE; Peyton Manning, Ind; Michael Vick, Atl; Drew Bledsoe, Buf; Chad Pennington, NYJ; Daunte Culpepper, Min

Others to start: Aaron Brooks, NO; Trent Green, KC; Tim Couch, Cle; Marc Bulger, StL; Mark Brunell, Jax; Jon Kitna, Cin; Matt Hasselbeck, Sea

RB:

Corey Dillon, Cin: Jacksonville’s run defense has lost a step in the last weeks, which was a major part of the Jags’ recent troubles. This is good news for Dillon owners, especially as the Jaguars aren’t fighting for a playoff spot any more. Furthermore, after two bitter, narrow losses, there is a good chance of a letdown in Jacksonville, which could make it even easier for Dillon to run over them.

Curtis Martin, NYJ: The Bears are the worst team in the NFL besides the Bengals right now, and there is not much of a chance that this will change before 2004. They were torn apart by Ricky Williams last week, and while Martin is no Williams, he will still be good for 100 plus yards and a score.

No-brainers: Ricky Williams, Mia; Priest Holmes, KC; LaDainan Tomlinson, SD; Deuce McAllister, NO; Fred Taylor, Jax; Clinton Portis, Den; TJ Duckett, Atl; Michael Bennett, Min

Others to start: Travis Henry, Buf; Charlie Garner, Oak; Marcel Eddie George, Ten; Jamal Lewis, Bal; Mike Alstott, TB

WR:

Ashley Lelie, Den: Once consiered one of the best receiving duos ever, Rod Smith and Ed McCaffrey have been slumping recently, while Lelie has been the only consistent factor in the Broncos passing game besides a healthy Shannon Sharpe. Look for this trend to continue this weekend, especially since Denver will throw a lot against Kansas City. Put him in your lineup if you need WR help.

Joe Jurevicius, TB: Jurevicius’ breakout game was a long awaited one, and means good news for the Buccaneers and Jurevicius owners. Playing against Detroit’s mediocre defense will give Joe more chances to shine, so we urge to you not to hesitate and start him, as we think he’ll be solid this week.

No-brainers: Donald Driver, GB; Terell Owens, SF; Marvin Harrison, Ind; Joe Horn, NO; Randy Moss, Min; Peerless Price, Buf; Hines Ward, Pit; Laveranues Coles, NYJ; Jerry Rice, Oak; Troy Brown, NE; Eric Moulds, Buf; Isaac Bruce, StL

Others to start: Torry Holt, StL; Jimmy Smith, Jax; Chad Johnson, Cin; Amani Toomer, NYG; Jerry Porter, Oak; Terry Glenn, GB; Keyshawn Johnson, TB; Tim Brown, Oak; Koren Robinson, Sea; Rod Smith, Den; Derrius Thompson, Was; Derrick Mason, Ten

TE/K/D:

Doug Jolley, TE, Oak: Jolley had the best game of his short career last week posting 104 yards on six catches. He’s played well recently and will get more opportunities as Gannon looks for him frequently this week against Miami.

Neil Rackers, K, Cin: Rackers may be a surprise here in the start column, but he may be worth a look. Cincinnati has scored a lot points in recent games (but of course still found a way to lose…). We think this trend will continue as Sunday’s game against the Jaguars may turn into a shootout as well. Rackers may not be as reliable as some, but he will get a lot of chances this week.

Kansas City: Yes, KC is here on the start list. Who woulda thunk it? They were the worst defense in the league at the beginning of the season, but have improved considerably, shutting out Arizona and holding St. Louis to a mere 10 points. That alone would not have been enough to warrant this call, but Denver’s offense has struggled of late, so the Chiefs might indeed be worth a look.

 
BENCH

QB:

Kerry Collins, NYG: Collins is another QB who always plays well when the matchup is right, but disappears against tougher defenses. Dallas is out of the hunt, but the Cowboys really loike spoiling an old nemesis’ playoff hopes. This will be a tough battle, so don’t expect Collins to do too much damage.

Jeff Garcia, SF: Garcia is a good start at most times and suggesting benching him at crunch time wasn’t easy for us. However, Green Bay has one of the best pass defenses in the league, and they underscore that again this week. We know it’s hard to bench a guy who has brought you this far into the season, but if ever there is a timepoint for doing such a move, this may be the case.

RB:

Shaun Alexander, Sea: The recent emergence of Hasselbeck also provided Alexander with more room to run and more scoring opportunities. However, he still isn’t the same back he was last year. Atlanta has the best rushing defense of the NFL, so it could be a long afternoon for Alexander.

Stephen Davis, Was: Another tough call, but Davis hasn’t shown that he can beat top rushing defenses anymore, and he won’t do so this week. Philadelphia has shut down almost everyone at the Vet, and it will be no different against Davis. Add that to the fact that several other backs could steal carries from Davis, and he doesn’t look at all like a great start.

WR:

Marty Booker, Chi: Booker was the lone bright spot on the Bears for a long time, but he has struggled lately, too, as the Bears showed no heart at all any more. Furthermore, the injury to Miller adds another question mark to Chicago’s passing game, so play it safe and bench him.

Peter Warrick, Cin: Warrick has a long history of having good outings being followed by desastrous ones. Altholugh the Bengals have scored a lot of points, the only constants on that team are Chad Johnson and Corey Dillon. Don’t think last weeks performance changed that – Warrick will be invisible most of the day.

TE/K/D:

Frank Wycheck, TE, Ten: New England’s defense is starting to play like the one that won the championship last year, which is bad news for almost everyone in the league. For Wycheck, who has been inconsistent the whole year, this could turn into a long night. Bench him.

Jeff Chandler, K, SF: Chandler was only one for three (one of the misses was a 50+ yarder) last week, so he hasn’t convince us he can be trusted when it counts. Furthermore, the Niners face a tough Packers defense that will make it hard for them to score, so Chandler’s chances will be limited.

Carolina: The Panthers defense was solid throughout the year, but it seemed that in last week’s shootout against the Bengals, both defenses threw in the towel. Such things do happen at this time in the year, when teams playing for bragging rights forget about defending their own end zone. We are not convinced that the Panthers can reverse this trend, so it may be better to bench them and look elsewhere with a good matchup.